5 Time Management Tips for Online Learners

If you’ve completed an online course before, you know that virtual learning requires a different approach to time management than an in-person program. Maybe you’re about to take your first lesson on the web, in which case, you’re not alone: Babson Survey Research Group and the Online Learning Consortium found that, during the fall of 2016 alone, more than 6.3 million students took at least one online course.

There are many reasons you might take an online class. Perhaps you’re pursuing an online degree, or simply developing your skills in an effort to get ahead at work. Though many online learners are traditional college age, more adults are choosing distance education programs. In either case, online education comes with a host of benefits for all professionals, from increased flexibility, to career development, and more.

Wherever you are in your learning journey, it’s important to realize that online classes require a lot of effort and, oftentimes, you might need to spend more time with the content than you would in a face-to-face course. Whether you’re adapting to a fully online workload or trying to balance online classes with full-time work, you need strong time management skills to get the most out of your online education.

Here are some helpful tips for managing your time in the online learning space.

How to Manage Your Time as an Online Learner

1. Work in Advance of Deadlines

With the flexibility of an online course comes an increased opportunity to procrastinate—not to mention the constant distractions that can come with being outside a classroom. Avoid falling into this trap, because you never know how long the material will take for you to get through, and you never want to put yourself in a position that forces you to rush through the content.

This applies to partner, group, and team assignments. Many online programs, such as those offered by HBS Online, have an interactive community component. Before your course begins, carefully review the syllabus and highlight the deadlines for any group assignments. Make sure to schedule a time to meet with your team or partner far in advance, and stick to those guidelines.

2. Own Your Work

Most online courses are designed with the schedule of a full-time professional in mind, but that doesn’t mean the workload and expectations will be lowered. You’re responsible for your own work, so be proactive.

If you have events or obligations (i.e. jury duty, conferences, or work meetings), get your work done as soon as it’s available. Your instructors will expect you to strike a balance between course demands and personal commitments.

3. Create a Dedicated Study Space

Being outside of a traditional classroom can provide added flexibility, but come with challenges. Although it can be tempting to complete your work from the comfort of your couch, having a dedicated learning space can be a key driver of online learning success.

Find a quiet place and make sure you have equipment like your laptop, headphones, and a reliable internet connection to reduce the amount of time spent on unnecessary distractions.

Having a space set aside for online learning can allow you to separate your professional and school life from your personal life, helping you maintain a productive mindset when it’s time to study.

4. Eliminate Distractions

To optimize the time you have to focus on your studies, make an effort to reduce distractions. While creating a dedicated workspace is a sensible first step, there are other actions you can take.

Resist the urge to multitask whenever possible. It can be tempting to play your course material in the background while you work on something else, but it can be harmful to your ability to learn. Research shows that multitasking can have a significant negative impact on productivity.

Simple actions like silencing your cell phone and turning off the television can also help.

5. There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Online learning invites freedom and variety, so use this to your advantage. When you’re taking a course virtually, there is no wrong way to go about completing it.

Chunk up the workload as small as you need to finish it on time. If it works better for you, set aside one day per week to get it all done. Also consider: Are you a morning bird or night owl? Thinking about what time of day you work best will help you build a balanced schedule.

If you’re taking an online course for the first time, this autonomy and flexibility might be new to you. Be cognizant of this, and make it work for your learning style.

Capitalizing on Your Online Learning Journey

Remember that taking an online course is part of your learning journey. By successfully managing your time and workload, you can ensure you’re getting the most out of the experience. In fact, you’ll feel a lot better about what you’re taking away from the program when you’re able to give it your full attention and best effort. Don’t underestimate the satisfaction that can be derived from furthering your education.

Are you interested in taking an online course to advance your career? ExploreHBS Online’s course catalogand discover how you can develop vital business skills.

(This post was updated on May 4, 2020. It was originally published on May 7, 2019.)

About the Author

Emily Ostermeyer is a Content Developer at Harvard Business School Online, currently assisting with the Leadership Principles course. Before joining the Course Delivery Team, Emily worked in education, earning a Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. When she’s not working on course development, Emily enjoys reading, connecting with the greater Boston community, and of course, taking her dog Finn to the dog park.